Folding go-cart.



' Patented Nov. 24, 1908. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Witnemeo 6 2% YHE NORRIS PETERS ca, wnsnmanm, n, c.

R. G. LEDIG.

FOLDING GO-GABT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6, 190B.

Patented NOV.24,1908.

R. G. LEDIG. FOLDING GO-GART.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN-631908. Patented Nov.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- l d n?" I I ,2 i 'vuuimmml I I I I RICHARD G. LEDIG,OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING eo-cAR'r.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

Application filed January 6, 1908. Serial No. 409,378.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD G. LEDIG, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and use ful Folding Go-Cart, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful collapsible or folding go-cartand consists of novel means for movably supporting the running gear.

It further consists of novel means for supporting the seat proper.

It further consists of a novel support for the sides or arm pieces.

It further consists of novel means for supporting the back.

It further conslsts of other novel features of construction, all as willbe hereinafter fully set forth.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a collapsible or foldinggo-cart embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a rear elevationthereof showing the parts broken away. Fig. 3 represents a top plan viewshowing some of the parts in closed position. Fig. t represents a sideelevation showing the parts closed and having the running gear partlybroken away. Fig. 5 represents a perspective view of a portion of therunning gear with some of the parts broken away. Fig. 6 represents arear end view showing the parts in closed position. Fig. 7 represents abottom view with the parts closed. Fig. 8 represents a perspective viewof some of the parts on an enlarged scale in detachable position. Fig. 9represents a perspective view of a portion of the device.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

Referring to the drawings. I have found in practice that it is necessaryin folding or collapsible go-carts to provide not only a strong anddurable construction, when the parts are in operative position, but alsoto form the same in such a manner that the parts can be easily operated.

In the drawings, I have shown a construction for carrying, out myinvention but it will be understood that the arrangement of the partsmay be varied and other instrumentalities may be employed which willaccomplish the same purpose and I do not therefore desire to be limitedin every instance to the exact construction as herein shown anddescribed, but desire to make such changes as will come within the scopeof the invention.

1 designates my go-cart which is formed of a frame having the side rails2, the front end rail 3 and the rear end rail 4, which in the presentinstance is riveted or otherwise secured to the side rails, as will beunderstood from Fig. 2, and which is provided with the extensions 5,which serve as stops or locks for the running gear, as will behereinafter described. Suitably secured to the side rails 2 are theloops or journals 6 in which are movably mounted the rods 7 which arebent downwardly and then outwardly forming the axles 8 for the wheels 9of the go-cart, which latter are provided with the hubs 10 held in placeon the axles 8 by nuts 11. It will be seen from the above that the axlefor the wheels is formed in tegral with the rods 7 that is to say, thesupport for the running gear on each side of the cart is formed of asingle piece of material and that this insures the proper positioning ofthe wheels with respect to each other and at the same time the properturning-in of the wheels, as will be hereinafter described.

12 designates bars, one end of each of which is connected with one sideof the downward extending portion of the bars 7, the opposite end of thebars 12 being provided with a slot 13 which is adapted to receive andengage with the downward extending portion of the bars 7 on the oppositeside of the cart, so that when the wheels are in operative position thebars 12 extend between the rods 7 serving to hold and lock the wheelsand axles in position but by removing the bars 12 out of engagement withone of the rods 7 the bars can, be swung upon the opposite side in orderthat the wheels may be turned-in, as best understood from Fig. 7 lVhenthe wheels are in operative position and the bars 12 in place, the stop5 prevents outward movement of the rear wheels, while attached to theframe of the side bars 2 at any suitable point are stops let whichengage with the front end of the rods 7, in order to prevent outwardmovement thereof. In this way a positive lock is provided for thewheels, since the bars 12 prevent inward movement and also assist inpreventing outward movement, which is positively prevented by stops 5and 14. 4

15 designates arms which are connected as at 16 with the side bars 2,the opposite ends of which are supported by a spring 17, one end of,which is connected with the side bars 2 and the opposite end of whichis curved upwardly and is connected with a pin 18 carried by ears 19,which are supported on the arms 15, so that in this way the rear end ofthe said arms are suitably spring-supported and as these bars carry theplate 20 which serves as a seat for the go-cart, it will be seen that Iprovide a cushioned seat, as will be evident. Connected with the pins 18on opposite sides of the cart are the handle bars 21 connected by asuitable handle 22, it being seen that in this manner the handle will bespring-supported as well as the seat, the advantage of which will beevident.

Pivotally connected with the cars 23 on the arms 15 are the side or armpieces 24, which carry the bars 25, which are movable with respect tothe said arms 24, which are prevented from improper movement and limitedby guides 26, said bars carrying the flexible side pieces 27 and havingone end of a spring 28 connected therewith, the opposite end of saidspring being connected with the side arms 24 so that the said bars arenormally caused to be seated or retained against the lower wall of theguides 26. 29 designates clips carried by the handle bars 21 which havethe pins 30 extending inwardly therefrom and which are adapted to entera suitable slot 31 in said side bars 25 in order to hold thesame inoperative position, the springs 28 serving to hold the parts locked intheir proper place.

Carried on the arms 15 are the ears 32, with which the back 33 ispivotally connected, said back having the spring-catch 34 at a suitableplace thereon and having one end of a sprin 35 connected therewith, theopposite end of said spring being connected with the locking bar 36, thesaid bar in the present instance being formed integral with the pins 18carried in the ears 19 and which serve as a connection between thespring 17 and the arms 15 and also for the handle bars 21, it beingnoted that the said locking bar 36 is free to move and when raised willengage with the spring-catch 34 and hold the back in elevated position,the parts being best seen in Fig. 8.

37 designates a foot piece which is suitably connected with the frameand with the seat plate 20 through the flexible connections 38 so thatthese parts are collapsible.

The operation of the device will be readily apparent. The parts being inthe position seen in Fig. 1, the cart is ready for use but when it isdesired to close the same this can be readily done in the followingmanner: By releasing the locking bar 36 from engagement with thespring-catch 34, the back 33 is lowered into the position seen in Figs.3

and 4 and the locking bar is also'lowered at the same time. By. raisingthe side bars 25, in order to release the slots 31 from engagement withthe pins 30, on the clips 39, the side arms can be turned inwardly anddownwardly on the ears 23, the parts assuming the position seen in Figs.3 and 4, after which the handle bars 21 can be turned inwardly, as well,these parts assuming the position seen iii-Figs. 3 and 4. By nowremoving the bars 12 from engagement with one of the side bars 7, thisbeing accomplished by releasing the slot 13, as best seen in Fig. 5, thebars can be placed lengthwise of the cart after which by turningin thebars 7 which carry the wheels 9 the parts will assume the position seenin Figs. 6 and 7 and the cart will be ready for carrying or shipping.

In order to place the parts in operative position the reversal of theoperation just described takes place, that is to say, the wheels areturned outwardly by turning the bars 7 in the loops or journals 6 andthe bars 12 are caused to engage with the bar 7 on the side of the cartopposite to that on which they are carried thus locking the wheels inposition, the handle bars 21 are then raised and the side arms 24 willalso be raised and the side bars 25 caused to reengage with the pins 30after which the back is elevated causing the locking bar 36 to againengage with the spring-catch 34, it being of course understood that whenthe running gear is turnedin the foot piece 37 is collapsible, as seenin Figs. 4, 6 and 7.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the character described, a frame, rods pivotallyconnected with each side of said frame and extending adjacent saidframe, bent ends on said rods forming the axles for the wheels, and barsconnected with one of said rods and adapted to engage with the rod onthe opposite side when the parts are in operative position whereby theaxles of the wheels are directly clamped.

2. In a device of the character described, a frame, rods pivotallyconnected with each side of said frame and extending adjacent saidframe, bent ends on said rods forming the axles for the wheels, barsconnected with one of said rods and adapted to engage with the rod onthe opposite side when the parts are in operative position whereby theaxles of the wheels are directly clamped, and stops at the front andback of said go-cart adapted to engage with said rods to prevent outwardmovement of the running gear.

3. In a device of the character described, a frame having side bars,rods pivotally connected with said side bars and extending adjacent saidside bars bent outwardly and forming the axles for the wheels, barsconnected with one of said rods at the front and back of said go-cartand adapted to engage with the other rod at the front and back of saidgo-cart, stops engaging with said rods to prevent outward movementthereof and a collapsible foot piece carried by said frame.

4. In a device of the character described, a frame having side bars,arms connected at one end to said side bars, a curved spring connectingthe opposite end of said side bars and said side arms and the curvedportion of the springs extending rearwardly beyond the side bars, and aseat operat-ively carried by said arms.

5. In a device of the character described, a frame having side bars,arms connected at one end to said side bars, a curved spring supportingthe opposite end of said arms and the curved portion of the springsextending rearwardly beyond the side bars, handle bars carried by saidspring and collapsible side arms carried by said arm.

6. In a device of the character described, a frame having side bars,arms connected at one end to said side bars, curved springs supportingthe opposite end of said bars and the curved portion of the springsextending rearwardly beyond the side bars, handle bars carried by saidspring, collapsible side arms carried by said arms, and means forlocking and holding said arms in operative position.

7. In a device of the character described, a frame having side bars,arms connected at one end thereof, curved springs supporting theopposite end of said arms and the curved portion of the springsextending rearwardly beyond the side bars, side pieces pivotallyconnected with said arms, a bar carried by said side pieces andmovablethereon, handle bars carried by said spring, and means on saidhandle bars engaging with said side arms for locking the side pieces inproper position.

8. In a device of the character described, a frame having side bars,arms having one end connected therewith, a sprin supporting the oppositeend of said arms, handle bars car ried by said spring, side piecespivotally connected with said arms, side bars carried by said sidepieces, guides for said side pieces, and pins carried by said handlebars adapted to engage with said side pieces for locking the parts inoperative position.

9. In a device of the character described, a frame having side bars,arms having one end thereof rigidly connected with said side bars,curved springs supporting the opposite end of said bars and the curvedportion of the springs extending rearwardly beyond the side bars, a backpivotally carried by said arms, a spring-catch on said back piece and alocking bar adapted to engage with said catch for locking the back inoperative position.

10. In a device of the character described, a frame having side bars,arms having one end connected with said side bars, a spring supportingthe opposite end of said bars, a back piece pivotally connected withsaid arms, a catch on said back, a locking bar adapted to engage withsaid catch for holding the back in position, said locking bar serving asa means for connect-ing the bars with said spring.

11. In a device of the character described, a frame having side bars,arms connected at one end thereof, a spring serving as a support for theopposite end of said arms, handle bars carried by said spring, side armpieces pivotally connected with said bars, means for causing the sidepieces to be engaged with said handle bars for locking the same inoperative position, a back pivotally connected with said arms, and meansfor holding said back in operative position, said means serving as asupport for the said spring and said handle bars.

RICHARD G. LEDIG.

Witnesses CHAS. IV. RUETER, n. H. RUETER.

